Traumatic Brain Injury – TBI – Attorney

If you think you may have a traumatic brain injury case because of the negligence of another party, the attorneys at Goodin Abernathy LLP will be happy to speak with you. Call us today and schedule a free consultation.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Closed Head Injuries, Concussions, Head Injuries, Coma, Brain Death, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

No matter the extent of your brain injury, Goodin Abernathy attorneys are prepared to maximize your recovery.  Some head injuries are easy to see and understand, like coma or brain death patients.  With those cases, we’ve represented clients who have suffered long term coma then extended rehabilitation hospital stays after requiring emergency craniotomies.  On the other hand, some brain injuries are more difficult to understand and detect, like concussions.  We’ve represented concussion patients that didn’t need surgery but suffered long term memory, functioning and emotional problems.  

Our brain injury representation starts with collecting your medical records, interviewing you, your family and friends to understand your injury.  We take that information to expert doctors and therapists to examine and describe how severe the injury is and what that means for your future.  When we have a working understanding of your injury, we patiently counsel our clients on the best steps they can take for recovery and aggressively claiming legal damages.  

Our Goodin Abernathy brain injury attorneys are compassionate to the struggles our brain injury clients face.  The emotional roller coaster of anger, sadness, frustration, confusion all affect TBI patients.  The long term effects our head injury patients suffer often include lost income and changes in job capabilities.  To address these damages, our injury attorneys use experts like cognitive rehabilitation therapists, neurosurgeons, vocational rehabilitation and economic experts.  These expert witnesses are vital to offering the evidence the judges and juries need for awarding maximum damages.

What causes a traumatic brain injury?

Causes are varied. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, according to the CDC. Statistics indicate about 35 percent of all TBI’s result from a fall, especially among children and the elderly. Falls are responsible for half of all traumatic brain injuries to children under the age of 14 and for 61 percent of those to adults 65 and older.

About 1.7 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From a medical perspective, a traumatic brain injury occurs when an external mechanical force causes the brain to not function correctly.
Vehicular accidents, personal assaults, blasts from explosions, combat injuries, construction accidents, and sports injuries are also common causes of traumatic brain injuries.

How do I know it’s a TBI?

Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury depend upon the person and type of injury. For instance, a high school soccer player who collides with another player may collapse to the ground after impact but remain conscious. If he experiences confusion, blurred vision, lightheadedness, and dizziness, he may have a mild form of TBI. Other symptoms can include ringing in ears, fatigue, mood changes, change in sleep patterns, and difficulty maintaining focus or cognitive thinking. If it’s a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, there may be nausea, vomiting, pupil dilation, slurred speech, significant loss of coordination and memory, severe headaches, and seizures. It may be difficult to wake this person from sleeping. When anyone experiences impact to the head, it is important to check for these symptoms. If the symptoms are present, seek medical attention immediately. Medical professionals often use the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to describe the level of consciousness in a person following a TBI.

Are there treatments for Traumatic Brain Injuries?

The first step to treating a traumatic brain injury is to stabilize the patient and make sure no further damage to the brain occurs. Doctors may perform X-rays or a CT scan to check for damage. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, various therapies may be needed. Some TBI’s affect speech and motor skills. If this is the case, specialized therapy sessions will be needed. Some victims of a TBI may need psychological support and therapy. Severe head injuries can require surgery and a long-term recovery plan for resulting disabilities.

Can traumatic brain injuries be prevented?

You may be able to prevent some accidents that cause traumatic brain injuries. Always be cautious when climbing ladders, supervise children at play, and make sure athletes always wear the proper safety equipment while engaging in sports. Wear a helmet when riding a bike, motorcycle or ATV. When driving or riding, buckle up. Seat belts save lives and help prevent many injuries. Never drive under the influence or ride with some that is. Make sure seniors have a safe environment, reducing their risks for falls.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, schedule your free consultation with one of our injury attorneys.

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